RIMOSA at KRARI Kickoff!

We are pleased to welcome RIMOSA (Rhode Island Museum of Science and Art) to the Kids Reading Across Rhode Island Kickoff celebration on May 14 at the Rhode Island State House.

Try out the wooden wave and the Bernoulli Blower. You might even get to make your very own thaumotrope. What's that you ask? Here's a link to a definition on Wikipedia.

RIMOSA's Metamorphosis: Transfer of Energy exhibits are on display at public libraries around the state during the months of May, June, July and August. The exhibits are hands-on, interactive, and spark curiosity! 

The exhibits include: Water Wheel, Cloth Wave, Gear Table, Light Pendulum, Wooden Wave, Rainbow Drum, Sand Table, and Magnetic Poetry. (All photos are taken from RIMOSA's website.)

RIMOSA's mission:

The Rhode Island Museum of Science and Art merges art and science creating innovative, interactive exhibits and programs that awaken curiosity, encourage experimentation, and improve understanding of the world around us.

 Learn about RIMOSA at the State House, and see their exhibits in person at a public library near you!

Main Street Martial Arts at KRARI Kickoff!

We are very pleased to welcome Main Street Martial Arts, 1282 North Main Street in Providence, to our Kids Reading Across RI kickoff on Saturday, May 14 at the RI State House. A teacher from Main Street Martial Arts will present a demonstration as part of our celebration.

Main Street Martial Arts is a nonprofit family community center dedicated to peace, health, and safety through the practice of the arts. The center offers classes in Aikido, Karate, Tai Chi, Japanese Sword, Taekwondo, Chinese Kung Fu, Kettlebells, and Go-Do.

Meet the KRARI Logo Designer!

Kristina is an active member of SCBWI, and is currently working toward her Certificate in Children's Book Illustration from RISD (Rhode Island School of Design).  She just finished the book cover and illustrations for the Lynn Levine’s book "Snow Secrets". A wonderful read for middle-grades it’s about tracking animals in the snow and discovering new friends.  You can find it on Amazon.

Brown Lion Dance to Perform at KRARI

Come see the Brown University Lion Dance Team at the Kids Reading Across RI celebration on Saturday, May 14th at the State House.

The Lion Dance, part of Chinese culture for thousands of years, is supposed to bring happiness and good luck! We're certainly lucky they'll be joining us at the State House.

"The lion is made up of two dancers, one handling the head and one handling the body. While the second dancer imitates the body of the lion, the first dancer can operate the eyes, ears, and mouth to evoke facial expressions. The lion dances to the beat created by the ensemble of large drums, cymbals, and gongs. A teaser may also take part in the performance by teasing the lion with a fan or a large ball." (from the Brown University Lion Dance Team website)

Check their website to see a sneak-peek video of what you'll see at the State House!

Announcing the 2011 Kids Reading Across RI Book!

Drum roll, please ...

The 2011 Kids RARI book is Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin -- a 2010 Newbery Honor book and 2011 RI Children's Book Award nominee!  Grace, both an author and an illustrator, graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design. Grace currently lives in Somerville, Massachusetts with her husband, Alex.

Save the Date! The 2011 Kids Reading Across Rhode Island kickoff celebration will be held at the State House on Saturday, May 14th from 12:00 - 3:00. Meet Grace, get your own, autographed copy of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (for FREE), and have lots of FUN.

Be sure to visit the blog frequently for more announcements about the kickoff celebration.

A "9"!

At the Middletown Public Library's Youth Reading Across RI book club, Regarding the Fountain was rated a "9" for "being a great, funny mystery"!They also ate the perfect snacks to complement the book - Goldfish crackers, Swedish fish candy and bottles of water.

What did your book club think? We'd love to know ...

More fun fountains in Newport, RI

"Most Fun" award!  This fountain sits on the patio of O'Brien's (Pub) & Restaurant, and allows kids to "fish" while waiting for their meals!

"Most Artistic" fountain: It's handcrafted of solid bronze, weighing nearly 900 lbs., and was  installed last Spring in Washington Square, Newport. It is a replica of a fountain that stood in the same spot about 100 years ago, and was used for watering horses.

Thanks to Barbara from the Middletown Public Library for sending these photos and captions!